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Thieves steal Habitat tools worth $7,500+

Habitat relies on in-kind donations and funding to purchase tools needed to build these homes. To donate to Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County’s Tool Fund, which will be used to replace the stolen tools, please contact Rachel McIver at rachel@habitatventura.org or 805-485-6065, x200.

Upon returning to work after the long Labor Day weekend, Habitat for Humanity staff and volunteers discovered their tool trailer was broken into and thousands of dollars worth of tools were stolen.

The theft of tools worth more than $7,500 will slow construction and may push out move-in dates for two families. All tools were taken from a locked storage container at the Trinity Lane work site in Santa Paula. The perimeter gate lock was cut with bolt cutters, then the door to the tool trailer was opened using bolt cutters to remove the hinges.

Santa Paula police are investigating the theft. If you have any information that can help solve the case, please call the Santa Paula police department. All tools were marked with “HFH”, H4H” or “Habitat.”

Steve Dwyer, executive director, calls the theft a “huge hit,” adding “the nonprofit does not keep a large reserve for tools.” Habitat is trying to figure out how to replace the stolen items so construction work can proceed with minimal slow downs.